Local News
Related Photos
-
Matthew Viglianti
Discussion
Comments from users with registered accounts will post at once. Comments from unregistered accounts will post after being reviewed by a site moderator. Posts that do not meet site standards, which can be found here, will be removed.
Ah, spring! Green grass and ... watering bans
Don't look now, but watering bans are right around the corner.
Seasonal water restrictions kick in Thursday in Danvers and Middleton. And with water levels in the Ipswich River dropping, other local towns will soon follow suit.
In Wenham and Topsfield, voters at upcoming town meetings will decide whether homeowners with private wells must obey water bans when the river's flow gets low.
In Danvers and Middleton, the water restriction prohibits the use of sprinklers except from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. and carries a warning for the first offense and a $100 fine for the second.
So what's the best way for a lush-lawn-loving homeowner to cope?
Water officials say it makes no sense to simply set and forget the lawn sprinkler; the best bet is to conserve water smartly.
Watering the lawn one hour before the sun comes up is best, because excess moisture won't linger in the soil and open up the grass to disease.
"I think the biggest thing you have to do is keep an eye on the moisture," said Ray Young, Danvers' water and sewer supervisor. The rule of most green thumbs is the average lawn needs 1 inch of water a week, he said, and it doesn't take that long to water it.
Other water officials said watering a lawn and a landscape too much promotes shallow roots, making the plants less resistant to drought. In fact, some said it is a good idea to let your lawn dry out a bit, and most lawns come back the next year if they go brown.
"A green lawn is a social thing," said Wenham Water Superintendent Bruce Blanchard. "It doesn't accomplish anything except making you feel good."
"If you are allowed to water, it's important that you do it selectively," said Greg Krom, Topsfield's water superintendent, "and you do it in a way that makes sense. If you water during the day, you lose a lot to evaporation."
How to save water
"There are a lot of things that residents can do to reduce the water they use," said Jess Darling, the restoration program manager for the Ipswich River Watershed Association.
A guide will soon be sent to residents in eight North Shore communities — Beverly, Boxford, Danvers, Topsfield, Middleton, Peabody, Salem and Wenham — that will help homeowners facing water restrictions. It's part of the Greenscapes Massachusetts program, of which the Ipswich River Watershed Association is a partner. (You can also download the brochure at www.greenscapes.org).
There's an easy rule to see if your lawn needs water, Darling said: "If you walk on your lawn and it doesn't stand up straight, it probably needs water."
The booklet also has tips for figuring out how long to run a sprinkler and other ways to promote healthy plants while saving water.
The Greenscapes program also offers a discount on rain barrels through The New Rain Barrel Co. in Peabody.
Free Greenscapes workshops
A series of free workshops for homeowners has been scheduled to help them promote beautiful landscapes while conserving water.
r Saturday, May 3
"How and Why to Use Native Plants in Your Garden"
Brooksby Farm store, 38 Felton St., Peabody
9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
r Saturday, May 10
"Soaking Up the Rain: Using rain barrels and rain gardens"
Brooksby Farm store, 38 Felton St., Peabody
9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
r Tuesday, May 13
"Lawn Care Basics and How to Phase Out Chemicals"
Topsfield Fair grounds, 207 Boston St. (Route 1), in the Bee Building
7 to 9 p.m.
r Tuesday, May 20
"Easy Composting for Healthy Landscapes"
Topsfield Fair grounds, 207 Boston St. (Route 1), in the Bee Building
7 to 9 p.m.
- Local News
-
-
Salem mayor's health care proposal spurned by Firefighters Union
SALEM — One day after the leadership of the police patrolmen's union voted not to bring a contract proposal before its membership, the firefighters followed suit.
Mayor Kim Driscoll said she was told late yesterday that the fire union's bargaining team rejected the city's offer and voted not to bring it to a membership vote. -
Fix sought for wall at Folly Hill development
DANVERS — A failed section of a riprap overlooking Bradley Road is one of the issues the Planning Board wants more information about when it takes up the luxury housing development on Folly Hill next month.
-
Argument over welfare of rabbit leads to father's arrest
DANVERS — Danvers police played "who's got the rabbit?" Wednesday afternoon as they investigated simultaneous reports of a domestic dispute and a call to check on the well-being of a bunny.
It turned out to be a fight between a father and a son over how the father was caring — or failing to care — for the hare. -
Salem advocate gets to shake president's hand
SALEM — It has been a big two weeks for Mary Margaret Moore.
The executive director of the Independent Living Center of the North Shore and Cape Ann, the regional disabilities agency based in Salem, was in Washington, D.C., for national conferences and for the celebration Monday of the 20th anniversary of the passage of the landmark civil rights legislation, the Americans With Disabilities Act. -
Auto body worker admits fleeing scene of collision
DANVERS — A now-former employee of an auto body shop pleaded guilty yesterday to crashing into two customers' cars there and then leaving the scene.
Daniel Borowiecki, 28, formerly of Atkinson, N.H., also admitted that his driver's license was under suspension at the time. - Police
- Repaving waiting on gas line work
- Tradition continues with 44th Beverly Homecoming
- Peabody police boast arresting Web presence
- Pot scent leads police to teen with stolen gun
- Board stops paychecks to Bassett
- Union leaders bar cops from contract vote
- Gov. Patrick signs SSC university bill
- First eighth-graders move on at Saltonstall
- Students won't miss summer school
- A 'spiritual oasis' at the mall
- Official says more planning needed for Glover School
- Suit filed after cabinet falls on 2-year-old girl
- 'White power' is found painted on school gym floor
- Middleton woman turns 105
- Nurses led to believe LaBrie cared for 2 kids
- Bridge Street repaving: hassles and headaches
- Police
- 'Vintage' game to celebrate Bambino
- Sorry, Charlie: Baker in Democrat's sights
- Gov. wants lawmakers to stay past end of session
- Beverly Homecoming calendar
- Tierney: Troop surge is too costly
- Sales of houses spike on N. Shore
- Two local mayors, two views on state's casino plans
-
Salem mayor's health care proposal spurned by Firefighters Union
